Panthers trade up for star S Caleb Downs in new mock draft

Could the Carolina Panthers have at least more one bold move left to make this offseason?

Well, two-time Super Bowl champion Bryant McFadden believes they might—as evidenced in his new mock draft for CBS Sports. The former cornerback projects a trade up to the 13th overall spot for the Panthers, who go on to nab Ohio State University star safety Caleb Downs.

McFadden writes:

This is a home run. Downs, Lloyd and [Jaelan] Phillips give Carolina a top-10 defensive core instantly, making this unit look beyond scary.

As McFadden notes, the Panthers have souped up their defense with the free-agent signings of Phillips and Lloyd. Adding in Downs, who is viewed as one of the very few blue-chip prospects in the 2026 class, may serve as the massive cherry on top.

To do so, the Panthers would have engage in a bit of business with the Los Angeles Rams at that 13th spot. According to the Rich Hill model, securing the pick could cost Carolina their first-rounder (19th overall) and their third-rounder (83rd overall).

That sounds like an awfully good deal for Downs—a two-time unanimous All-American, a national champion and the latest recipient of the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award, the Jim Thorpe Award and the Lott Trophy.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Panthers trade up for star S Caleb Downs in new mock